Grace and Obedience to God’s Law
When men boast that they are “under grace,” and continue to break God’s law, it is a very good evidence that they do not know what the grace of God is, or God’s purpose in giving it. The positive declaration of the apostle is that “sin shall not have dominion over” those who are not under the law, but under grace. Now “sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. If sin has dominion over us, it holds us in continued transgression. But if under grace sin does not have dominion over us, it is for the very reason that we are keeping the law. Sin is separation from God. It is inharmonious with the divine will. If grace does not eliminate that which separates, if it does not bring the sinner into harmony with God, it is received in vain. But, dear readers, “we then as workers together with Him beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”